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SHANE IRELAND
About Me:
Vice President, Retail//Director of Smokingpipes.com
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Reviews
Cornell & Diehl - Steamworks 2oz
Virginia flake, elevated
I honestly didn’t believe that Jeremy could have elevated C&D’s Virginia game beyond where Anthology took it. The grades selected for Steamworks and the lengthy processing have yielded a remarkably interesting and highly repeatable flake that seems to gracefully check each of the VA smoker’s possible boxes simultaneously. The highest quality Perique available and excellent, vintage Orientals provide support and add complexity, but they aren’t the stars of the show. This is a crash course in quality leaf and expert blending & processing. Age will be kind to this blend, but for the first time in years I’ll be struggling to let tins reach old age rather than just enjoying them all straight away.
Tampers & Tools - Larry Blackett Cannon and Carriage Pewter Tamper
Perfect desktop tamper & stand
I purchased one of these from Larry at last year’s NASPC show and it has lived on my work desk since then. He offers so many fun and functional designs, but this one in particular has served me well. The weight and balance are perfect, and having the stand (carriage) keeps the tamper handy and my desk free from ash. I’ll be adding more of his work to my collection.
La Palina - 125 Años
Incredible Flavor and Performance
This is one of the more memorable cigars I've smoked in the last few years. The flavor from the cold draw is bold, rich, and extremely complex. This is something that serious smokers will enjoy and, believe it or not, punches well-above the asking price. Well-aged leaf and immaculate construction.
Tampers & Tools - Laguiole Calumet Pipe Tool Horn (with Leather Bag)
I wish I had bought one sooner
I've never been fond of pipe tools that are more expensive than a Czech tool. No matter how nice a fancier tool looked, it lacked in one area or another; the blade is worthless, the tamping surface too small, there might not be a pick... Something would always leave me dissatisfied. The Forge de Laguiole Calumet knives are not only extremely well-made, but their design is thoughtful and includes everything that a smoker might need. My only criticism would be that they are slightly larger than most pipe tools, but that's a very small complaint. They're completely handmade and the second you hold one for yourself, you won't think twice about the cost. I'm so glad that I invested in this knife; it's been one of the best purchases I've made this year.
Mac Baren - HH Acadian Perique 1.75oz
Pleasant surprise
I have been meaning to smoke a substantial amount of this blend (at least an entire tin), since I first tried a sample form a bulk bag months ago. Now that I have spent some time with this one, I can say that I'm still finding new nuances with each bowl. This blend is complex, and will keep your attention regardless of the size chamber you are loading. I would consider this a bit higher in strength than I initially found it to be. Overall, I can enjoy this blend all day long and I intend to lay down no small amount for future enjoyment.
Dunhill - Elizabethan Mixture 50g
The "other" starting point
This is a wonderful blend that has been copied many times. Yes, I have had old U.K. made Elizabethan and there is no need for those who have not to feel like they are "missing out". For me this is a must have and has both the complexity and medium strength that I most often look for in a blend. You will get some sweetness, and you will get some spice, but never too much of either. This is about as easy burning and packing as a cut can get and does well in many different chamber sizes. Many people recommend Escudo as a starting point for those looking to explore Virginia and, more specifically, VA/Perique blends. I think both Escudo and Elizabethan should be a part of that introduction.
Cornell & Diehl - Sunday Picnic 2oz
C & D classic for the VA/Perique fans
I basically feel the same way about Sunday Picnic as I do Red Carpet. For many years the blends that make up the Simply Elegant series have been a favorites of mine and are well-represented in my cellar. Both Sunday Picnic and Red Carpet are medium-strong and full of flavor. A dedicated Virginia smoker could probably make due with just these two blends! Strength, spice, salty-sweetness and cool burn. I tend to appreciate Sunday Picnic during the day (or during the warmer months), and Red Carpet in the evenings after dinner due to the slightly richer flavor profile. To my tastes Sunday Picnic is (of course) brighter and the Turkish shines with the Perique in the supporting role, whereas it is pretty much all about the Perique in Red Carpet. Both blends are must-haves and age incredibly!
Cornell & Diehl - Red Carpet 2oz
Deserves more attention than it gets!
I basically feel the same way about Sunday Picnic as I do Red Carpet. For many years the blends that make up the Simply Elegant series have been a favorites of mine and are well-represented in my cellar. Both Sunday Picnic and Red Carpet are medium-strong and full of flavor. A dedicated Virginia smoker could probably make due with just these two blends! Strength, spice, salty-sweetness and cool burn. I tend to appreciate Sunday Picnic during the day (or during the warmer months), and Red Carpet in the evenings after dinner due to the slightly richer flavor profile. To my tastes Sunday Picnic is (of course) brighter and the Turkish shines with the Perique in the supporting role, whereas it is pretty much all about the Perique in Red Carpet. Both blends are must-haves and age incredibly!
Rattray's - Hal O' The Wynd 500g
The backbone of my rotation
I have had a long love-affair with the Rattray's Virginias; moving back and fourth between this, Old Gowrie, Marlin Flake, Brown Clunee, and finally back to this. In my opinion these blends (with the possible exception of Marlin) are so similar in profile, that it really comes down to how strong you prefer your blends to be, and how much Perique/KY influence you are looking for. Really, that is part of what makes the lineup brilliant; there is something for everyone. Hal O' the Wynd is the one for me. It not only packs the best punch, but it has the most Perique and by extension, the most interesting flavor to my tastes. I like many blends and reserve some for special occasions/aging potential, and while I do have some Hal in the cellar, I mostly smoke it fresh. There is always a 500g jar on my desk and I smoke this when nothing else sounds good, or when I want to break-in a pipe, or when I need something familiar, satisfying and easy to enjoy.
Cornell & Diehl - Oak Alley 2oz
Unique and thoroughly satisfying
Primarily a Virginia/Virginia-Perique smoker, naturally I was most intrigued by Chenet’s Cake when the Cellar Series made its debut. Oak Alley took me by surprise. It is a very complex blend that actually fills several spots in my rotation at once, as strange as that may seem. This is a cross-over blend for those who desire something “in-between” their usual Virginia/Perique, or Burley, or Virginia/Oriental blends. The base of Burleys and Red VA is expertly proportioned and balanced, with the Perique (more generous than you might imagine) and Katirini constantly evolving and weaving in and out of the spotlight. Plenty of strength to satisfy, this is a blend that can be as complex as you desire at any given moment during the smoke. If you are working/driving, you get a solid flavor that will not become dull. Once you focus on the smoke, layer after layer of flavor will reveal itself. Again, this may seem strange, but the flavors are at once subtle as well as robust, and will keep you guessing all the way down to the fluffy ash at the bottom of the bowl (did I mention how well the C & D crumble cakes burn?). Truly unique in the best way, I am obsessed with the tin I have open and have laid down quite a few to enjoy at various ages. I should also mention that at this time, the tins in stock at Smokingpipes.com are still from the original release and are already aged 6 months!
Wessex - Brown Virginia Flake 50g
"BROWN VIRGINIA SHANE WAS HERE"
Good day, Jerry Germany! I am glad that you enjoyed BVF as much as I had.. it really is a special tobacco! This is a bittersweet moment for me because although I feel it is a flake that deserves more credit, I didn't have the foresight to plan for a shortage! BVF is perfect straight from the tin. It rubs out effortlessly and takes to the flame with little resistance. It is a creamy and medium-full flavored smoke with dark dried fruit notes and a luscious baked bread aroma. Quite simply, I cannot recall the last time a fresh tin (with no age) impressed me this much. If anyone is interested in the Newsletter Jerry is referring to, we have posted it in our blog.
Favorite Products
Blog's Commented on
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All Pipes Considered: Peterson System Pipes
- ► @Wesley Young @Mark Irwin Andy and I are planning to film a sequel to demonstrate the packing & cleaning methods that we have been using. The more and more that I smoke my Premier 303 and Deluxe 3s, the more I'm convinced that they're ideal "tasting" pipes (especially when trying fresh flake tobaccos) and for anything in my cellar that's still a bit young.
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An Introduction to Cellaring Pipe Tobacco
- ► Tom, aging tobacco is easy and all too often the process is made out to be tedious and complicated. As far as specific recommendations, keep an eye on the blog in the coming weeks as I will be expanding on the points outlined in this introduction. I will say that for the last week or so I have been enjoying some 10 year-old Solani Virginia flake with Perique blend 633 and the taste is like toasted raisin bread and plum wine, with a bit of a smoked gouda or blue cheese. Age has been very, very kind to this already delectable tobacco. Cheers!
- ► Walt, I use the peel away address labels for letters that come on a sheet. I find it much easier to write legibly then I can just peel them off and apply to the side of the jar(s). This is also ideal if you re-use jars as you can peel the old labels off or simply cover them with new labels. It was great seeing you in Chicago!
- ► Keith, it has been tested, both literally (by a pipe smoker who also happens to test food-safe containers professionally, using a very expensive apparatus) and in practice by all of us here at the office. I have dozens of jars that range in age from about ten years, to days ago, and everything in between. The only time I have washed jars was to re-use them with brand-new lids and seals and I am more worried about those jars than anything straight out of the package from the store (I try to re-use jars for tobacco that I am going to smoke, not for long-term aging). By washing brand new jars you are more likely to introduce mold spores, bacteria etc. I hope this helps!
- ► Keith, they are not talking about use with tobacco, but rather with food! I will say that I do not recommend using loose or individually sold jars or pieces of jars without washing them. Factory-sealed packages of a dozen are preferable (I always make sure I grab packages that have not been opened by someone else). Food-borne bacteria is what the canning methods are intended to eliminate. You can certainly take the same steps with tobacco, but is it not necessary.
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Behind the Scenes at Peterson: An Interview with Tony Whelan
- ► @Bean Boy Having been to the factory, I can categorically say that Peterson does place an emphasis on quality and they also have a thorough quality control process in place, as do we. Smokingpipes.com buys thousands of Peterson pipes each year, and every pipe must pass our quality control before hitting the website. And that's true for every pipe across all the brands/makers that we carry. Of course, it's always possible for something to slip through, and we're always happy to to resolve those situations should they arise.
- ► @Dan Gregory Peterson uses two different staining methods, neither of which involve "dipping" the bowls in stain. I believe the majority of the lines call for hand-staining, which is time consuming and requires a craftsmen to brush the stain onto the bowl, sometimes taking many coats to achieve the final result. The other process is "spraying" the bowls. In both cases, they take care to avoid the chambers. Also, the higher-end lines without bowl coating often have their chambers polished, but not stained. I hope this helps!
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Brad Pohlmann's Favorite Pipe Designs
- ► @Va/Per-Izor All pipes are made to be smoked and in my experience, pipe makers love to see customers enjoying their work as it was intended to be enjoyed. Personally, I do smoke Brad's pipes, and I smoke the hell out of them! I also happen to be smoking one of his Bent Dublin designs as I type. It's not even coincidental, considering how often I smoke this particular pipe... I break in my more expensive pipes the same way that I do my less expensive ones: by smoking carefully!
- ► @Va/Per-Izor I'll certainly keep you in mind, although it's not likely that I'll ever be done with any of these Pohlmann pipes! ;) Just keep your eyes on the estate section... you're bound to get lucky eventually!
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Dunhill's Three Year Matured: Tasting Notes
- ► Josh, Three Year Matured and the Flake are on opposite ends of the Virginia spectrum. While I do enjoy the Flake myself, this is richer, stronger, and pretty much void of anything close to citrus. Definitely give it a shot if any of that appeals to you! And be sure to let us know what you think.
- ► I definitely understand the concern, Bryan, which is why I wanted to make it clear just how subtle the essence is. This blend is like a younger sibling to Royal Yacht more than anything, which is great news in my book!
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Durbar and Aperitif: Old vs. New
- ► Adrian, Although I did not write a side-by-side comparison, I have smoked quite a bit of both the new and old Durbar now and, aging aside, I much prefer the new iteration! I think this is true of most of the re-released Dunhill blends made by Orlik. They have done a wonderful job keeping the spirit of these blends alive using modern components. I think it is too often the case that smokers truly want to believe that the blend was "better" long ago. We are in the golden age of pipes and pipe tobacco and many manufacturers have been doing this for years now and have the resources to make a great and consistent product. Cheers!
- ► I personally see no need to chase the "old stuff" as the current production is really good! I am curious to hear thoughts from anyone else who may have been able to do a side-by-side comparison. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a bowl of fresh Durbar to smoke!
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G.L. Pease The Virginia Cream: Tasting Notes
- ► Thanks for watching, Jerry! I hope you enjoy The Virginia Cream as much as I am, and please do let us know your impressions once you've had a bowl or three.
- ► @AMeerPontianPuffer Actually that's one of my favorite things about this blend. It does have more kick than your typical Aromatic. It's not a powerhouse when compared to the ropes or C&D's Chenet's Cake, but you won't feel like you need to smoke another bowl right away when you finish a bowl of The Virginia Cream. I hope this helps!
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Golden Days of Yore: Tasting Notes
- ► @J.krug Thank you! I think waiting to pop those tins will only make the experience more special. Especially since a few more months of age should do a lot for the lovely tobaccos underneath the melange of holiday aromas and flavors. I'm also planning to save a few tins for next Christmas!
- ► @Unclebuccs I had to look up Ben & Jerry's Festivus but I think you're spot-on! Let me know how you like the blend once you've had a few bowls.
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How Do Scott Tinker's Magnetic Pipe Tables Work Anyway ?
- ► @Bryan W While the magnets are strong enough to hold a pipe securely, they are also spherical, so there's no way for them to damage the inside of the chamber. Briar is dense and tough, and without any sharp edges on the magnets, nothing can really happen. I hope this helps!
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How to Care for Vulcanite Stems
- ► @Brian Robertson I store my pipes the same way and haven't had any issues with oxidation during long-term storage. Honestly, it's air and sunlight that do the most damage to vulcanite stems and if you're storing your pipes in their socks and in a box, then you shouldn't notice much (if any) oxidation. I only keep my current rotation out on stands/in my briefcase, so they get a wipe and a touch of Obsidian oil before going back into the closet and that's it.
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How to Cellar Pipe Tobacco: Part Two
- ► Few worldly possessions are more precious than fine pipes and tobaccos! I also like that I am able to keep my stash (somewhat) organized using the containers as well.
- ► Generally speaking, you want to store your tobacco in a cool, dry place. Extreme temperatures are not ideal. I would recommend keeping your stash in your residence where the temperature remains somewhat constant.
- ► That is interesting that you find the Syrian Latakia to age more gracefully than Cyprian. I will have to experiment with some Syrian blends to see for myself! Overall great input. Thanks for sharing!
- ► The square tins you described are certainly okay to cellar long term, as long as they have not been opened. I have heard of the seals failing but have only experienced this one, maybe two times over the years (and being a flake smoker, much of my cellar is comprised of square tins). Just like my jars, I check the square tins every now and then to make sure the seals are intact. I hope this helps!
- ► Cliff, your Penzance will be just fine; no need to open or re-jar. I almost always jar my flakes (including Penzance) in the same manner as you have. To clarify, when I said "loosely" all I meant was there is no need to really stuff it in there. Even if one does choose to pack a jar tightly it will not hurt the tobacco. Enjoy!
- ► Robert, there isn't really a way to be able to tell with 100% certainty. Of course, if you can remove the lid, then the seal is broken, but if the lid is on firmly the vacuum can still be compromised. Most folk will gently shake the tin and if you can hear a lot of movement, then your tin might be compromised and the contents may have dried out. And yes, I recommend using jars for tobacco that you aren't going to smoke right away, as well as aging bulk tobacco. You don't want to throw tins into your cigar humidor since the high humidity will most likely cause the tins to rust. I use jars because it will keep the tobacco very close to the moisture level it was intended to be stored at. If you put tobacco into a humidor it will absorb more moisture than you might want.
- ► @William Sladek I wouldn't recommend using humidifying discs in jars that you intend to store long-term. When using Mason/canning jars, there's no need to worry about moisture loss as the jars are self-sealing and will retain the tobacco's moisture for many, many years. And adding additional moisture can increase the chances of mold. Humidifying discs work great when you have a few grams of tobacco in a pouch that you will be smoking soon, but you don't need them when cellaring/jarring tobacco for aging. I hope this helps!
- ► @ Todd Nelson Aromatic blends will keep in jars indefinitely, without too much degradation, if any at all. Typically folks don't cellar Aromatic bends with the hopes that the flavor will change/mature, but a big part of cellaring is simply about stocking up on your favorites.
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How to Date Dunhill Tobacco
- ► @Richard Crist The Peterson versions of these blends use Orlik's dating code, which is a 10-digit code where the first 6 digits are "YY/DD/MM". I'm looking at a recent tin of Peterson Elizabethan with the code "1907084027" which would date it to August 7, 2019.
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Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia: Tasting Notes
- ► Thank you, Gentlemen! I hope you all enjoy the blend as much as I do. Be sure to comment here with your thoughts! @StanMillan @Flatticus @Unclebuccs @MisterE
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Mystery Tobacco Review: February 2021
- ► @Yeats Thanks so much for the kind words and for watching! It was a bit more common in the easier days of the Mystery Tobacco Review series, but we have been given quite a few things that aren't readily available for purchase (aged samples, homemade "pressed" versions of preexisting blends, even a random jar of leftover scraps). 'There are no rules' and we've seen that mantra pushed to its limits a number of times. I think here, the idea was to see if we could identify individual components without context clues (preexisting blends) to lean on. I'm still shocked that we didn't pick up any Perique, even if it was a vanishingly small portion.
- ► @Stu Henry @Oom Howard It really is a tasty blend! Just enough Perique to add to the bouquet and add some intrigue. An excellent VA flake that I think would be popular.
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Mystery Tobacco Review: January 2021
- ► @WILLIAM I've got to be honest, it's obviously more difficult to keep a pipe lit while you're talking/not paying attention, and we also just don't mind relighting. I personally feel that the number of relights during a smoke doesn't matter or mean much at all and often just discourages newer smokers (who often learn that relighting is a "problem"). Since we're approaching these tobaccos blindly, most of us are loading our bowls minutes before we start filming and are not allowing any real drying time. FWIW, this flake burned well at tin moisture. Most of the relights are likely form not paying attention to the burn as much as we're paying attention to the flavor.
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Mystery Tobacco Review: March 2021
- ► @Oom Howard @D. There are no rules!And I do love it when "I'm pretty sure this doesn't exist" is as close as we can get. DIY or modified blends are the purest form of blindly reviewing! I was certain that I tasted DFKY on the cold draw and in the smoke, but it was just high percentage of Perique playing tricks on me.
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Peterson's 150th Anniversary - Behind the Pipes
- ► @Beany Boy I completely understand what you mean about the grain orientation on certain pipes. However, the problem is actually that when chucking up a block to turn a bowl, there are a few uncontrollable variables that can "mess up" the way the grain falls on the finished shape. You might see what appears to be straight grain (or perfect crosscut) on the outside of a block, but when you cut into it, the grain might be completely different. There's also the chance that the block arrived from the supplier cut in such a way as to not leave any room to shape it in perfect alignment with the grain. Truly, the only way to combat these naturally-occurring variables, is to shape entirely by hand, which is too costly and difficult to do in any serious volume. The good part about the game of chance with raw briar, is that you can find some great values as far as grain goes in the more-affordable lines, and it also makes collecting more enjoyable in the sense that there are so many variations between pipes even in a single shape/finish combination, that a superb piece is all the more interesting of a find.
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Rattray's 40 Virginia: Tasting Notes
- ► @Zach Thank you! The Rattray's stuff really is excellent. I will say that in addition to trying this 40 VA, I'm also glad that I finally got around to seriously trying Brown Clunee earlier this year. I have had it before but dismissed it as being too light when compared to Hal, Gowrie, and Marlin.
- ► @TIOK Glad you're enjoying Hal O' the Wynd as much as I do! It's such a great blend and totally unique in the vast selection of VAPer blends. The KY forwardness really makes that blend special. @Flatticus that Cutty is an old (1970s) Punto Oro! I really wish the Savinelli 402 shape was available in more finishes, but I do have a Natural Rustic Petite 402 that's such a great smoker!
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ROPP: Past, Present, Future
- ► I completely agree with you, Robert! I have been searching for a decent pipe with a (comfortable) Horn stem for quite some time. I am currently smoking a Ropp Billiard and find the stem to not only be gorgeous, but very easy in the teeth in terms of shape and bite. The shaping is clean and classic, the old briar tastes wonderful and the value is incredible. I'm looking to add a second to my rotation at this point, and I get just as much enjoyment from my Ropp as I do from pipes costing much, much more!
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Savinelli's Giubileo d'Oro: Tasting Notes
- ► @Peckinpahombre If you're looking for an all-day English flake with tang and sweetness, then you'll dig this one! The pipe is one of our Ropp Vintage Briar Sandblasts and the stem is actually Horn.
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Staff Show and Tell
- ► @Thom Glad to hear that you enjoyed the first smoke in one of your new Ardors! Pipes are of course meant to be smoked, but I can certainly understand waiting for the right moment to break-in a special pipe. I often spend weeks contemplating which aged tin from my cellar will do, before lighting up a new pipe for the first time. A special pipe deserves to be treated as such, with a special tobacco, and at the right moment. Enjoy!
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Summer Pipe Tobacco Suggestions
- ► Marui, if you are looking for a Summer smoke that does have some Latakia in it as well as Orientals, I would recommend something "light". For instance, G.L. Pease Ashbury or even Chelsea Morning. Both have plenty of flavor and strength to satisfy, but are more Virginia forward (Chelsea Morning even has some Perique). I hope that helps!
- ► Motoyoshi, those are both excellent suggestions! I totally agree with you on the Virginia Gentleman and GLP Picadilly would be another ideal choice for those who require a little bit of Latakia. I also wish that I would have mentioned C&D Exhausted Rooster and, for the Lakeland lovers, G&H Louisiana flake and Grasmere flake... plenty of strength and flavor!
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Tasting Notes: 4th Generation Small Batch Aged Virginia
- ► @Christopher Banish The humidor box comes wrapped in cellophane from the factory, but we had already opened it before shooting this video. There are quite a few products on the market that are not vacuum-sealed (100g limited edition tins from European manufacturers, Tobac Manil bricks, etc.) and while their shelf life can be as much as a few years, I always recommend the use of mason jars for long term storage. The upside to this particular tobacco is that it’s made from aged leaf and is ready to be enjoyed right away—there’s no need for further aging. I will be setting some aside for a few years, but I’ll be using jars.
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Tasting Notes: C&D Cellar Series - Bijou
- ► @Flatticus Glad you're enjoying it, Chris! There have been a lot of new releases in the past year, and a lot of really good ones. But my first few bowls of Bijou blew me away. I can't stop smoking it!
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Tasting Notes: C&D Small Batch - Carolina Red Flake
- ► @Marc Ruby We simply didn't think that Smokingpipes.com would sell out of Carolina Red Flake as quickly as we did. The Small Batch project is relatively new for Cornell & Diehl. They only made a few hundred tins of Straight Up English, and 777 of The Beast. Because of the demand following the previous two releases, C&D was asked to make a lot of Carolina Red Flake (2,400 tins) but I don't think anyone expected CRF to sell out in just a few hours. I appreciate the feedback, but trust me when I say that I reviewed this blend because it's a really interesting and unique product. We usually do post the review a few days before the release of a blend like this, with the option for folks to sign up for an in stock notification. I thought we had enough to go around.
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Tasting Notes: C&D Small Batch - The Beast
- ► @Perdurabo Man, I would love to see The Beast back in the regular lineup. Let's keep our fingers crossed! I'm also glad (but not at all surprised) to hear that it's coming along nicely. I might have to dig around and pop a tin soon myself!
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Tasting Notes: Chacom No. Three
- ► @Dean Miller That's one of my IMP Meerschaums. I wasn't previously much for meerschaum pipes, but I've got several IMP pieces in the rotation these days and they're excellent.
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Tasting Notes: Cornell & Diehl - Speakeasy
- ► @Alain L. Thank you for watching!
- ► @Gregory J Provenzano I have smoked both Beacon and Beacon Extra, but it has been a while. I'll have to revisit them soon. I remember Beacon Extra being sweet, tangy, full-bodied, mild-medium in strength, and quite spicy. Off the top of my head I'd recommend trying Rattray's Marlin Flake or even Dunhill Dark Flake. Honorable mention to McConnell Folded Flake!
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Tasting Notes: Drucquer & Sons: Loch Ness
- ► @Very Like A Hobbit Except For Their Hairy Feet So I am aware of the term sweetbread, but in this context, what I'm referencing are the various sweet breads that many of us are familiar with. Perhaps it's a term I'm comfortable with because I grew up on "pan dulce" (literally translated to sweet bread), but I'm also positive I've heard others use the term in English to describe the same sorts of flavors.
- ► @Linwood I'm actually revisiting a bunch of English staples at the moment--been on a Latakia kick for the first time in a while. The Rattray's stuff is all excellent, but Accountant's is next on my revise list. Red Rapparee remains one of my top 10 Latakia blends of all-time!
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Tasting Notes: G.L. Pease Penny Farthing
- ► @ Dan H. It certainly sounds like this one will earn a spot in your regular rotation. I'm still experimenting with different packing methods and chamber sizes, but it's enjoyable no matter how you smoke it (with an unbelievable range of complexity depending on the pipe and packing technique).
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Tasting Notes - G.L. Pease's Temple Bar & Regents Flake
- ► @DANIELCPITT I'll second Matt's recommendation of Quiet Nights. It's absolutely the blend that made me stop chasing the elusive Penzance!
- ► @Bryan Webber Thanks for the kind words, Bryan. And for watching. I'll be curious to hear your impressions once you've tried these two!
- ► @Chris80 Thanks so much for watching! I specifically selected those pipes because of the similar design, and more importantly, the similar chamber dimensions. I'm smoking Temple Bar in a sandblasted Poker made by J. Alan, and Regents Flake in a Rusticated Sailor's pipe designed by Tom Eltang. Both pipes seem to perform similarly and the chambers are so close that I felt it would provide a fair comparison of the two blends. There really are a lot of variables that go into a smoke, many of which are shared between pipes and cigars (your last meal, the setting, your mood, and so forth). Then you have the tobacco's moisture level, how you chose to pack your pipe, and how slowly you smoke. I feel strongly that packing correctly is of the utmost importance. Generally speaking, just make sure the draw is similar whether or not the pipe is filled with tobacco. It should still feel nice and open when packed. One more piece of advice that I wish I'd have known sooner: when you're trying a blend, try to stick to one pipe, and really give the blend the attention it deserves; smoke it at different times of the day, in different settings, and with a few different packing methods if possible. It's difficult to wrap your head around a blend if you're smoking it in a different pipe everyday (save that for later, once you've become acquainted) and if you only smoke a few bowls of one thing, before moving on to the next. YMMV, but try to eliminate as many variables as possible by keeping certain things constant. It'll totally change the way you approach and evaluate new blends.
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Tasting Notes: Kramer's Blend For Danny Kaye
- ► @DW No, it's not whiskey... The term refers to a traditional combination of aromatic flavorings used by one famous, old Irish tobacco manufacturers. It's a proprietary recipe, but I can say that it adds a fruity and slightly floral note to the tobacco. It's used sparingly in this context, in fact just one of the components is flavored, not the entire mixture.
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Tasting Notes: McConnell Scottish Blend
- ► @Tom Greene Thanks, Tom! Definitely give it a try. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts after a few bowls!
- ► @Dan I'm surprised that you haven't tried this one yet. It's a nice alternative to your typical English. And I actually get a bit more Perique influence than I do with Nightcap.
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Tasting Notes: Peterson's Early Morning Pipe
- ► @Chris Many smokers have shared with me that they tend to prefer something more mild earlier in the day, and can tolerate/enjoy more strength of flavor and higher levels of nicotine in the evenings, particularly after a good meal. While this makes perfect sense, I have to admit that I find myself, more often than not, craving something more stimulating in the morning and favoring a more mild experience in the evening. Pipe smoking (and nicotine in general) can be both stimulating and relaxing. I enjoy smoking while I work and I find that a more flavorful/engaging blend tends to do well in that setting. When I'm relaxing at home without any distractions, I can fully appreciate the subtleties and nuance of a more mild blend and don't necessarily want more nicotine. Some folks can't sleep at night if they have a cup of coffee after 3pm, while others have no issues having one or two espressos after dinner. These things are highly subjective.
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Tasting Notes: Samuel Gawith Cabbie's Mixture
- ► @Terry Gawryk Each time I review a blend, I do so after smoking several bowls in various pipes, so during this video was not the first time that I had examined the contents of the tin. It's not uncommon to find something new each time one smokes/smells a blend so I make sure to smoke a bowl during the videos, and to also stick my nose back in the tin a few times. We usually try to include a closeup of the blend in these videos, and will continue to do so going forward.Thanks for the suggestions! And I typically only wear a hat when my hair isn't combed :)
- ► @KT It's one of the Eltang SPC 15th Anniversary Devil Anse pipes. I have one smooth and one Rusticated. Not only is the shape attractive, but they smoke so well. Those pipes have become some of my "most reached for"!
- ► @Bryan Webber Thank you so much for the kind words, Bryan! That's the best thing about flakes and coins; you have control over the smoke in a way that other cuts just can't provide. For Luxury Bullseye, one of my favorite preparations is to remove the intact "cores" and to rub the rest of the coins out. Then, I layer the Black Cav pieces in-between pinches of the rubbed-out portions.
- ► @Parabellum I'd rank the SG VAPer blends from lightest to fullest as follows: Springtime FlakeCabbie's MixtureSt. James FlakeThis is not only based on Perique content, but body and flavor as well. I hope this helps!
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Tasting Notes: Solani Aged Burley Flake
- ► @Unclebuccs I have read that blog; it's great! The Aged Burley Flake is one of those blends that deserves every bit of it's hype.
- ► @Dan Thanks, man! It's such a solid smoke. Have you ever had the old U.K. made Edgeworrth Slices?
- ► @Michael Locke That is a Brad Pohlmann Pencil Shank Poker form a few years back. It's my go-to 'Burley' pipe and I don't think you'd ever be able to convince me to let this one go! :)
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Tasting Notes: Stonehenge Flake
- ► @Bryan Webber The Burley is more or less "felt" in Stonehenge and I certainly wouldn't let it turn you off from trying this lovely flake. Greg and John Gawith are both wizards and I suspect that the Burley was added for body and a bit of strength; it certainly doesn't stand out in the flavor. I may not even have guessed that there's Burley present here if not for the tin descriptions. Many blends have trace amounts of Burley to round things out. I hope this helps!
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Tasting Notes: Wessex Gold Slice
- ► @Joe T I was really surprised by how complex this bright flake is right out of the tin and with no age. I'm laying down a handful of tins because there's no doubt in my mind that it'll be fantastic with some age!
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Visiting The White Spot
- ► @Al Jones Yes, the workshop is located in London at Walthamstow, which is about 8 miles north east of Charring Cross.
5 Pipe Accessories You Never Knew You Needed- ► @Truculentfrogs I couldn't agree more. Scott Tinker tobacco plates are beautiful and can be left on display, but the Neerup Leather Tobacco Mat is very handy and can be easily rolled up and tossed in your bag for use while traveling. Great recommendation!